With approval of $1.8M project comes promise of 200 jobs

The Doña Ana County Board of Commissioners adopted a color scheme Tuesday for the county seal. For all future uses, this is the what the official county emblem will look like.(Photo: Courtesy Doña Ana County)

LAS CRUCES - The Doña Ana County Board of Commissioners has approved a $1.8 million Local Economic Development Act project to build a water well to serve Santa Teresa's four industrial parks. Along with the approval comes a promise to create 200 jobs.

Commissioners did raise concerns about the legality of the proposed project before unanimously approving it during Tuesday's meeting at the Doña Ana County Government Center.

Commissioner Billy Garrett questioned county attorneys and administrators about the business relationship between the Border Industrial Association and Camino Real Regional Utility Authority, which will own and operate the new well. An application for LEDA funds to build the well was submitted to state officials by BIA, a nonprofit organization focused on improving New Mexico's business opportunities with Mexico, primarily in and near the Santa Teresa Port of Entry.

Chuck McMahon, assistant county manager, said there are four industrial parks in Santa Teresa: the airport industrial park, adjacent to the Doña Ana County International Jetport; the intermodal rail park; the west park, off of Strauss Road; and the binational industrial park adjacent to U.S. and Mexico customs facilities at the Santa Teresa Port of Entry.

McMahon told the commission BIA is qualified to apply for state LEDA funds, but CRRUA isn't. County government will serve as the fiscal agent for the project.

"At no time will the county have any exposure to pay its own money or other funds (for the project)," McMahon said.

In obtaining LEDA funding to build the well, the BIA has also promised to create 200 full-time jobs in the industrial parks by June 30, 2020. If fewer than 200 jobs have been created during that time, the BIA will pay the state $9,000 for each job not created.

Garrett pointed out there were no documents in the commission's agenda to formalize the agreement between the BIA and CRRUA .

"I understand it's important to get water infrastructure expanded in the border area," he said. "But with that said, I have questions about the project, mostly about this not being legally tied up neatly."

But Jerry Pacheco, BIA president and chief executive officer, said Garrett and fellow commissioners shouldn't be overly concerned.

"No LEDA agreement ever comes this far without legal review," Pacheco said. "We work closely with CRRUA. If it's a postscript that's needed we can have a written agreement. We are trying to put infrastructure in the southern part of the county. We are using creative methods, legal creative methods, to do that."

Christine Logan, with the New Mexico Economic Development Department, said an Environment Department attorney has reviewed the agreement.

"We had all of these documents reviewed by our attorneys. It is a complicated agreement, but it meets legal requirements," she said.

Still, Garrett asked county attorneys to affirm the legality of the LEDA agreement.

"Yes, it is complicated but it should go forward," said Tom Figart, a county attorney.

Commissioners Ben Rawson and David Garcia quickly expressed their support for the project. Rawson said a $3.7 million project to expand and improve CRRUA's water and wastewater utility was not cut by the Legislature during last week's special session.

"This is great recognition from the Legislature, Santa Fe and the governor of the needs there," Rawson said. "I'm glad to see this in front of us."

Garcia, whose commission district includes Santa Teresa, added, "I'm very supportive of this project."

Brent Westmoreland, CRRUA executive director, said bids for the water well could be issued in January or February, and construction could be finished within a year.

Doña Ana County seal

Also during Tuesday's meeting, the commission approved an official color scheme for Doña Ana County seal. The seal was created in 1958 by George Gray, a former Las Cruces High School art teacher. However, when the county accepted the seal, it was without color specifications.

Through the years different colors have been used and variations to the emblem — such as adding a red chile pepper — have been made. Garrett said consistency of the county seal was needed.

The commission agreed the red sky in the center of the seal was attractive, and the foreground should have yellow.

"I always thought it was a cool idea," said Garrett of the red sky. "'Red Sky At Morning' is a classic movie representing New Mexico."

Beneath the image of a conquistador on a horse, commissioners noted there was an agave plant that must remain.

Also, Commissioner Leticia Duarte-Benavidez suggested county officials send a letter to Zia Pueblo asking for permission to use the Zia symbol in the county's emblem. Zia Pueblo has been granted a trademark for the symbol, and written requests to use it are required.

The current color scheme will be required when the county uses the seal in the future.